Drugs and Cosmetics

Brian Nettles, Esq. There is no question that awareness of health and natural foods are at the forefront of concerns in America these days. What was once a niche market, organic and health-minded consumption is now mainstream. The market for organic foods reportedly jumped from $28.4 billion in 2012, to an estimated $35 billion in 2014. To put that into perspective, even McDonald’s plans to get rid of antibiotic-treated chicken–and add kale to it’s menu. Needless to say, consumer appetite for organically produced, health-boosting items is growing big time. There is a lot of money in the business boom–and a …

Chris Welsh, Esq. www.welsh-law.com A Philadelphia state court jury has ordered Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. to pay more than $2.3 million in damages to a plaintiff suffering bladder cancer. The plaintiff is the fifth Actos victim to be awarded damages by a jury. Jury members found that Japan-based Takeda failed to adequately warn the plaintiff’s doctors about the drug Actos’s cancer risks. Actos, also known as Pioglitazone, is a drug used to treat adults with type 2 diabetes and poses risk of heart failure, heart attack, and bladder cancer. Despite thousands of lawsuits, the FDA has yet to recall the drug …

If you or a loved one has suffered serious side effects from Levaquin, Cipro or Avelox, you may be able to pursue legal action. Levaquin (levofloxacin) is a powerful antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. It has been linked to serious and permanent side effects, including damage to patients’ nerves and a condition known as peripheral neuropathy. These harmful effects are irreversible and can be deadly. Levaquin is in a company of other fluoroquinolones. Levaquin was approved for sale in the U.S. in 1996 for the treatment of serious, life-threatening infections, such as meningitis. However, there has been growing evidence …

Disneyland goers left with a surprise souvenir over the holiday. Approximately nine people that visited Disneyland of Disney California Adventure between December 15 and December 20 last year have been confirmed to have measles. Three additional cases are pending, bringing the potential total number to twelve. Measles is a respiratory disease carried by a virus and spread through the air. Historically, it is a very serious and contagious disease due to its nature. To put it into perspective, for every person that has measles, 12 to 18 are infected. For Ebola, the transmission ratio is 1.5 to 2.5. Thankfully, measles …

The antipsychotic ziprasidone (Geodon, Pfizer Inc) and its generic counterparts have been linked to a rare but potentially fatal skin reaction, prompting the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to add a new warning to the drug’s label. Known as DRESS (drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic syndromes), this serious condition can start with a fever and a rash and/or swollen lymph glands. DRESS can quickly spread to all parts of the body, causing inflammation in major organs, including the liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, or pancreas. DRESS can also increase eosinophils and lead to death. Ziprasidone is used to treat …